As our CEO Rachel's primary role is to work with the Board of Trustees and Executive Management Team to create, communicate, and implement the vision, mission, values, and overall strategic direction for the Charity.
Rachel joined Making Space in 2013 as Executive Director of Development, bringing to the organisation her experience and hands-on knowledge of working in small local and large national charities, as well as her experience as a commissioner. In 2016, Rachel acted up as Chief Executive Officer at Making Space and was permanently appointed to the position in May 2017.
Rachel is passionate about education and learning, seeing it as a pathway to personal and professional fulfilment. She graduated from Liverpool University with a BA (Hons) degree in English and History during the early 1990’s. Rachel went on to complete vocational courses in Youth & Community Studies and Leadership and Project Management, as well as a National Advocacy Qualification. Rachel returned to university in 2015, completing an Executive MBA degree from Liverpool John Moores University in 2018.
Working in the voluntary and community sector for over 25 years, Rachel started her professional life as a Community Development worker before then spending six years in grant making and commissioning roles. Rachel joined a large national children’s charity where she managed a portfolio of services covering family intervention projects, young carers services and children’s centres before becoming a group manager with responsibility for business development.
Rachel is also a Trustee of the Association of Mental Health Providers, a Fellow of the RSA (the royal society for arts, manufactures and commerce) and a member of the Fawcett Society, the UK’s leading membership charity campaigning for gender equality and women’s rights at work, at home and in public life.
In her free time Rachel likes to read and bake cakes, whilst also trying to master the art of bread-making. She’s also a passionate Liverpool FC season ticket holder and enjoys the season when she can travel to far-flung corners of the world to add her support.